Final answer:
Yes, Mandatory labeling indicating the origin of fresh meats is not currently required for all meats in the U.S., but organic labeling guidelines set by the USDA do include origin information. Higher safety standards for imported goods are a matter of regulatory and ethical perspectives. Outbreak investigations can link specific foods to disease occurrences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Labels on fresh meats are required to indicate where the food originated. The requirement for Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) was initially included in the 2002 and 2008 farm bills, mandating retailers to provide country of origin information for certain items, including meat.
However, as of 2015, Congress repealed the COOL requirement for beef and pork, and thus, it is no longer a requirement for these meats to display their country of origin. For organic foods, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets standards including the origin of the product being part of the labeling.
When considering the legitimacy of imposing higher safety standards on imported goods, countries often do this to protect consumer safety, local economies, and public health. This question pertains to an ethical and regulatory discussion more so than biological health directly.
When investigating foodborne illness in a restaurant setting, a specific food item can often be identified as the source if there is a commonality in the foods consumed by those who became ill. Epidemiological investigations may use data on food consumption to trace back to the source of contamination.